Maureen West - Super Mentor

Maureen West from the Open Road Driver Training Programme in Dunedin was awarded Best Community Mentor at the Driving Change Network 2022 Conference. She was nominated for her dedication and hard work as a volunteer driving mentor, which involves long hours and great patience.  

Maureen has been described as “amazing and brilliant” by the many community members she has helped to gain their licences. She has been a volunteer mentor for the last five years and has directly impacted the lives of many people. Thanks to Maureen over 23 clients have gained a licence and learnt important driving skills. She even gives her fellow driving mentors advice and offers assistance when they need it.  

According to Maureen’s clients she makes the driving learning journey stress free. She is encouraging, understanding and supportive and is able to work with the anyone, including the most nervous drivers, to support them to become confident and safe on our roads. 

Open Road Dunedin’s Driver Training Coordinator says Maureen is a “volunteer extraordinaire” and has a big heart. She just wants everyone to be safe out on the roads and is doing her part to make it happen.  

The Driving Change Network was honoured to present Maureen with the Best Community Mentor award and to give her the recognition she deserves. Maureen received many testimonies from current and former mentors and learners, which all attest to her generosity and willingness to give up her time in order to help others.   

Ka pai to Maureen for all of the impressive volunteer mahi she does and for being, as a colleague described her, “a one in a million kind of woman.”